Protecting Antarctica - a critical appraisal of the developing governance of Antarctica Flashcards
What is global governance?
The laws and norms that individual nations and organisations follow for the greater good.
What are the key characteristics of NGOs (Non - governmental organisations)?
- A Non - profit entity
- Workforce is composed of volunteers who aid the development
- Free from any government control
- Generally address healthcare, child mortality, livelihood, emergency response, education, water and sanitation
- Discourages religious, political or military viewpoints
- Completely impartial
What are the key characteristics of IGOs (International governmental organisation)?
- Aims to combat complex interrelationships, political conflicts and economic disputes
- They receive capital aid from its member
- They gather, examine and distribute information to the state members
- They are used to manage the progress of interaction between non-governmental and government actors
- They can impose limits on policies
- They act as an instrument for international cooperation
What is the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)?
A collection of agreements that work to protect the Antarctic through global governance by banning military activity and claims to sovereignty (ownership) in Antarctica.
What are the advantages of the Antarctic Treaty System?
- Antarctica is a national reserve
- Differences over territorial claims have been effectively set aside
- There have been no issues over weapons or nuclear testing
- Any discussion of allowing mining is unlikely to happen until 2048
- 80% of the world’s population is involved in the ATS
What are the weaknesses of the Antarctic Treaty system?
- Environmental audits are mainly focused on land based activities (marine activities can be ignored)
- Only member countries doing significant research in Antarctica are able to vote on amendments
- Inspections do not occur regularly
- All decisions must be unanimous
- The ATS is voluntary so there is no assurance that all members will comply
What are the fundamental principles underlying Antarctic Governance?
- No military use shall be made of Antarctica
- Complete freedom of scientific investigation
- Free exchange of scientific plans and data (international scientific co-operation)
- Prohibits nuclear explosions or waste disposal
- Any sovereignty disputes put on hold (no Antarctic Legal System)
What is the Environmental Protocol, or Madrid Protocol (1991)?
To ensure that environmental protection is central to the planning and conduct of all activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
What are the main purposes of the Environmental Protocol?
- To establish environmental principles for the conduct of all activities
- To establish a committee for Environmental Protection
- To prohibit mining or mineral resource exploration
- To protect heritage and special areas
- To ensure that waste of all kinds are returned to the country of origin
- To reduce marine pollution
What is the UN?
A collection of countries who have the ability to set global laws and regulations in order to protect the Antarctic.
What is the UNEP?
The main UN organisation associated with Antarctic protection which completes research and implements legislation into global environmental problems.
Give three examples of agreements which support the Antarctic Treaty via the UNEP.
- Vienna Convention
- Montreal Protocol
- UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change)
What is CCAMLR?
A treaty created in 1980 to protect marine life populations.
What is the International Whaling Commission (IWC)?
An organisation which enforces regulations, such as setting ‘catch limits and whale hunting restrictions, on its 89 member states to regulating whaling activity.
Give two examples of work the IWC (International Whaling Commission).
- The 1982 Whaling Moratorium banned all commercial whaling on all species and populations.
- A Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary was set up in 1994, focusing on the protection of calves and females.
